How to play blues harmonica #10: Return to First. Way back when, I spoke of the importance of learning first position first - i.e.playing in the stated key of the harp. Lately, Ive realised that First is useful for far more than knocking out simple tunes, like Oh When the Saints. Handled properly, it can offer up the chance to create some sax-line lines. The action occurs on the blow notes from eight upwards. Hit these hard and they will bend beautifully, allowing for some funky lines. This point is demonstrated most obviously by the late Jimmy Reed, on such songs as Honest I Do (see below). But listen closely and youll discover that the Reed idea is sometimes carried through by the superlative harpist Stevie Wonder. Boogie On Reggae Woman sounds like complex chromatic work, but actually Stevie leaves the slide pressed in (on a G harp) to allow him to make his own trubute to Reed ... it takes some doing, mind. https://youtube/watch?v=J5o6t4fNDi4
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 21:48:46 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015